NUNEATON market traders are joining forces to tackle thieves operating in the town centre.

The move comes after the wife and daughter of the chairman of Nuneaton Market Traders? Association were targeted by a bag snatcher.

Paul Lancaster has gathered together as much information as he can on the offender and will be including that in the latest edition of Traders News, out this weekend.

He said: ?Market traders look out for each other when the need arises. From this Saturday, each and every trader will be looking for him.

?I ask all women: please keep your bags safe as I can tell you from bitter experience these crooks need only a split second to transform a lovely day?s shopping into an empty, sick, few hours of panic.?

Kim Lancaster and the couple?s 18-year-old daughter Cheryl, were walking through the market area in Queens Road, close to the fountain, when they stopped to look at a stall selling T-shirts.

Mrs Lancaster looped the straps of her bag around her foot but, as she moved, her foot came out and the man pounced.

Shoppers and stallholders chased him through the streets, forcing him to drop the bag outside Johnsons Jewellers before he had time to rifle through it.

Although one purse containing cash and credit cards was taken, a second purse and house keys were still inside.

Mr Lancaster said: ?One man chased him all the way to the jewellers and was absolutely worn out but it prevented the thief being able to take everything and we are extremely grateful to that man, whoever he is.?

The thief is white, aged 17 or 18, 5ft 10in, thin, with a sallow, gaunt face. He walked with a slight stoop and wore a light-coloured baseball cap and jacket.

Anyone with information on the theft should phone police on 024 7664 1111 or the confidential Crime-stoppers hotline on Freephone 0800 555 111.